Chairman Gareth Davies has written to each of the Welsh Rugby Union's 320 member clubs to outline a major structural overhaul which is to modernise the way the game is governed in Wales.We will implement the right governance systems and structures with suitably qualified individuals reflective of modern societyFour new sub-boards have been created to discuss specific aspects of governance prior to full Board meetings, with the aim of streamlining the decision-making process in Welsh Rugby.

The modernisation will particularly benefit the community game, with a new forum dedicated solely to grass roots rugby.

Each sub-board will discuss their specific areas - Commercial, Financial, Professional/Performance and Community Game - meaning full Board meetings will not need to be held as regularly and should be less cumbersome.

The sub-boards, which can co-opt members, will meet every month, while the full WRU Board will now be scheduled to meet in its entirety four times a year instead of 12.

"The changes we are making are part of our continued aim to modernise the way in which the game is governed in Wales," said Davies.

"All sporting bodies are being scrutinised closely on their governance structures and composition of their management boards, and, partly in response, but mainly as it is the right thing to do, we have recently reviewed our internal structures.

"We have created four new 'sub-boards' which will meet to discuss specific areas of governance, prior to full Board meetings.

"They contain specialist executive staff as well as WRU Board members and will help the decision making process of the full Board become more agile and efficient when it meets.

"The big one for me is the Community Board. The main beneficiary of these changes will hopefully be the community game as more focus will be directed at this crucial part of our business in a forum dedicated only to the grassroots game.

"My experience to date is there has been little discussion around the community game at the main Board as there are always strategic issues on the agenda, for example.

"There's going to be a clear focus now. This is a proper board to look at the community game and what we need to do with it.

"It's not a case of separation, but greater focus on certain areas and a meaningful structure operating below our full Board."

In addition to creating this new structure to underpin the WRU Board, its members have been taking pro-active steps to examine the diversity and skill sets available within the Board itself.

The recently published 'Strategy for Welsh Rugby', which is downloadable in its entirety on the WRU website (here), states in its opening section, under 'Governance':

"We have a responsibility to be agile and inclusive. We will implement the right governance systems and structures with suitably qualified individuals reflective of modern society.

And Davies says the WRU is taking the necessary steps towards achieving this aim as it seeks to modernise the governance structure of Welsh Rugby.

The chairman will be writing to clubs again in the near future detailing the skills identified as being required for a WRU Board member and hopes to encourage a wider and more varied pool of talent to apply for positions, as and when they may become available.

"We know, for example, that a number of positions on the Board will be up for re-election this summer and further details about this process will be forthcoming as always," he added.

"We firmly believe that it is in the interests of good governance for there to be a high level of competition for places in each and every case, incumbents included."

Q: Are you fully expecting Warren Gatland to return to the Wales coaching job after the Lions tour?

A: Yes. There is no suggestion otherwise whatsoever.

While he is engaged with the Lions now and not involved directly with preparing the Welsh team, he is still in touch with what’s going on elsewhere in the game with a view to post-Lions.

Q: There has been plenty of speculation about the future of the Dragons and a potential WRU takeover. You are a former chief executive of the region yourself, so what’s your view on rugby in Gwent moving forwards?

A: It’s a quarter of our clubs, it’s got a great track record for producing players. Look at the U20s in recent years. So it’s a great breeding ground. We need to really strongly fight for professional rugby in Gwent.

Q: What role does the Union have to play in ensuring that future?

A: Well, you’ll have to wait and see![/b]Q: Are you fully expecting Warren Gatland to return to the Wales coaching job after the Lions tour?

A: Yes. There is no suggestion otherwise whatsoever.

While he is engaged with the Lions now and not involved directly with preparing the Welsh team, he is still in touch with what’s going on elsewhere in the game with a view to post-Lions.

Q: There has been plenty of speculation about the future of the Dragons and a potential WRU takeover. You are a former chief executive of the region yourself, so what’s your view on rugby in Gwent moving forwards?

A: It’s a quarter of our clubs, it’s got a great track record for producing players. Look at the U20s in recent years. So it’s a great breeding ground. We need to really strongly fight for professional rugby in Gwent.

Q: What role does the Union have to play in ensuring that future?

A:Well, you’ll have to wait and see!

He's a little tease ...

Wed Mar 15, 2017 9:33 pm

Llew

World XV Player

Joined: Thu Dec 19, 2013 12:07 pmPosts: 3683

Re: The Stooge Speaks

I bet that's an interesting read.

Quote:

Sport Wales did a review for us, examining the diversity and skill sets available within the Board, to see how we compared and marked against other sports. It didn’t make great reading........

Thu Mar 16, 2017 11:37 am

Cymru am byth

World XV Player

Joined: Wed Jan 13, 2010 5:19 pmPosts: 7356

Re: The Stooge Speaks

Llew wrote:

I bet that's an interesting read.

Quote:

Sport Wales did a review for us, examining the diversity and skill sets available within the Board, to see how we compared and marked against other sports. It didn’t make great reading........

I wonder what sports they were compared against and what conclusions they drew?

Given the Government are looking to withhold around £300m from the FA for reasons of incompetance and a lack of diversity. Also then consider the nonsense that seems to surround the Olympic comittee. You also have Fifa and the corruption. Doping scadals in cycling and athletics and many more. It makes you wonder whether there are lots of decent sport bodies who embrace gpod practice to compare to.

I'm not saying that the WRU embraces diversity nor has a great skill set, it has a lot it room to improve. But by comparison to some sports, they are exemplars of brilliance (no sarcasm intended).

Sport Wales did a review for us, examining the diversity and skill sets available within the Board, to see how we compared and marked against other sports. It didn’t make great reading........

I wonder what sports they were compared against and what conclusions they drew?

Given the Government are looking to withhold around £300m from the FA for reasons of incompetance and a lack of diversity. Also then consider the nonsense that seems to surround the Olympic comittee. You also have Fifa and the corruption. Doping scadals in cycling and athletics and many more. It makes you wonder whether there are lots of decent sport bodies who embrace gpod practice to compare to.

I'm not saying that the WRU embraces diversity nor has a great skill set, it has a lot it room to improve. But by comparison to some sports, they are exemplars of brilliance (no sarcasm intended).

Didn't even know there had been a review of the WRU, until this came out. I assume although I'm not sure, that as it was Sport Wales, they've been compared with other sporting bodies in Wales ? I doubt the findings, if they're not pleasant will get out. Obviously something in there about Grass roots, as they've reacted, eventually.

Didn't even know there had been a review of the WRU, until this came out.

Josh Lewsey job.

Thu Mar 16, 2017 10:07 pm

Langland Exile

World XV Player

Joined: Thu May 06, 2004 5:40 pmPosts: 59991Location: Los Angeles, CA

Re: The Stooge Speaks

Bouch wrote:

Llew wrote:

Didn't even know there had been a review of the WRU, until this came out.

Josh Lewsey job.

He was professional, thus couldn't function under the new regime

_________________We are all in the gutter but me and my mam are looking at the stars!

Sat Mar 18, 2017 1:07 am

Bouch

World XV Player

Joined: Fri Jul 22, 2011 6:24 pmPosts: 44379Location: Llanharan

Re: The Stooge Speaks

Langland Exile wrote:

Bouch wrote:

Llew wrote:

Didn't even know there had been a review of the WRU, until this came out.

Josh Lewsey job.

He was professional, thus couldn't function under the new regime

Sat Mar 18, 2017 8:14 am

Tony Panties

World XV Player

Joined: Thu Feb 19, 2015 10:37 pmPosts: 11290

Re: The Stooge Speaks

Langland Exile wrote:

Bouch wrote:

Llew wrote:

Didn't even know there had been a review of the WRU, until this came out.

Josh Lewsey job.

He was professional, thus couldn't function under the new regime

Look at his record ... he couldn't function for long anywhere.

Buggered off to climn everest.

_________________Easy to consider past and present, it's the future and associated plan and strategy to achieve that takes the talent ..

Sat Mar 18, 2017 8:47 am

Bouch

World XV Player

Joined: Fri Jul 22, 2011 6:24 pmPosts: 44379Location: Llanharan

Re: The Stooge Speaks

His exceptionally good CV includes undiluted success at every level of our game.

Quote:

Lewsey took one of Welsh rugby's top jobs having worked as a management consultant and immediately set about reviewing and then addressing some of the key challenges in the game.

He left the WRU 31/12/15 and Lewsey said: “I came to work here with a specific focus in mind, seeing the opportunity and need to address the underlying structures whilst the national team were so successful - to attempt to 'fix the roof while the sun is shining'.

“Also, my family are from Wales and I know the difference sport, but especially rugby, can make to people’s lives and local communities. To avoid speculation there have been some developments over the last year relating to personal matters, meaning I couldn’t continue to be in Wales on a full time basis.”

I wonder if the WRU implemented some of his recommendations or acted on any of his findings?

Wales don't seem to have been at their best until last weekend, perhaps there's some trouble finding Josh's masterpiece?

Sat Mar 18, 2017 9:02 am

Langland Exile

World XV Player

Joined: Thu May 06, 2004 5:40 pmPosts: 59991Location: Los Angeles, CA

Re: The Stooge Speaks

Tony Panties wrote:

Langland Exile wrote:

Bouch wrote:

Llew wrote:

Didn't even know there had been a review of the WRU, until this came out.

Josh Lewsey job.

He was professional, thus couldn't function under the new regime

Look at his record ... he couldn't function for long anywhere.

Buggered off to climn everest.

A sign of mercurial talent, which few harness effectively

_________________We are all in the gutter but me and my mam are looking at the stars!

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Google [Bot] and 4 guests

You cannot post new topics in this forumYou cannot reply to topics in this forumYou cannot edit your posts in this forumYou cannot delete your posts in this forumYou cannot post attachments in this forum